Hometown Fest fireworks July 3

The Palatine Jaycees will host a professional fireworks show accompanied by patriotic music at dusk on Monday, July 3. The display can be viewed from the Hometown Fest fairgrounds at Community Park, 262 E. Palatine Rd. The fireworks will be set off to the north of the park.

The Palatine Park District requests that spectators place any tarps and blankets after 7 a.m. on July 3. In addition, stakes may not be used to secure tarps and blankets because of the risk of damage to park district property.

The first fireworks show hosted by the Palatine Jaycees took place in 1957, the year of the chapter’s founding. The show is paid for by the Palatine Jaycees through their year-long fundraising efforts and sponsors and is presented free to the community.

Off-street parking on July 3 is available at downtown commuter parking lots, about a half-mile walk from Community Park, as well as at St. Paul’s Church (144 E. Palatine Rd.) and Evangelical Community Church (312 E. Wood St.), both adjacent to the fairgrounds. The private lot owners may charge for parking.

Spectators are encouraged to ride their bikes to the fireworks. Bike Palatine will provide free, supervised bike parking at the Community Center tennis courts from 6 to 10 p.m. (250 E. Wood St.).

In addition to fireworks, the live entertainment, carnival rides, and food and beverage sales continue on the fourth day of the festival. Windy City Amusements’ carnival will be open from 1 to 11 p.m. Individual ride tickets as well as unlimited daily ride passes ($25) are available at the carnival ticket booth. Food vendors will be selling traditional festival food as well as unique menu items from 3 to 11 p.m. The Jaycees will sell beer, wine, and hard cider from 3 to 11:45 p.m. The bar will be closed briefly during the fireworks show.

Live entertainment will be performed in the Fred P. Hall amphitheater on the southwestern side of the park. Hot Rocks, a Rolling Stones tribute band, will take the stage at 5pm. Hot Rocks is consistently voted one of the top Midwestern tribute bands and was selected to perform at Navy Pier for the Chicago advance screening of Martin Scorsese’s Rolling Stones concert documentary “Shine a Light.” Jake Dodds will perform country music at 7:30 p.m. Following the fireworks show, perennial favorites Bucket #6 will close out the evening’s entertainment with rock and pop.

Run Walk Club

Virtual Mixology Class

Run Walk Club

GM (General Membership) meeting

The Palatine Jaycees chapter members meet the third Thursday of each month to discuss and vote on upcoming projects, celebrate successes, and socialize.

All are welcome at General Membership meetings. If you’re between the ages of 21 and 40, please join us and learn how you can make a positive impact on the community, learn skills, and make new friends. Our chapter is one of the largest in the state and continues to grow due to an engaged and dynamic membership base.

First-time guests receive complimentary beer or soda. Members and associate members pay a $3 beverage fee.